Madeline and Atticus: Paper Anniversary

Audrey, in front of our loved ones,

the people that matter most to you,

and the people that matter most to me,

I declare my love for you,

and my desire to share my life with you.

You are my light, my space, my depth.

You are everything to me.

I am better because of you

…and I am truly honored and blessed to be standing here,

to be surrounded by these people,

to be standing, facing you,

my transcendently beautiful bride, to be yours.

Please accept this ring, this ceremony,

these rituals of our people,

as a symbol of my unwavering devotion to you.

I love you.

We have quite a few loved ones here today who would vouch for the fact that I used to think that I would always be lonely. Nearly five years ago, you and I were introduced and soon I realized that there had been some cosmic purpose to this loneliness—really, I was just waiting to meet you, my bashert, my intended. I certainly never imagined that I would meet someone who would understand me completely, love me wholeheartedly and make me feel beautiful. You have done all these things. You have taught me to enjoy each day, to live life with ease and without fear. You have held me and supported me in times of sadness and struggle and you have celebrated each moment of happiness and triumph (often you celebrated more than I, myself did). From the beginning, you loved and cared for my family and luckily I have always felt that I was part of yours. Two and a half years ago, you and I began a feline family of our own. I love you not only for your physical beauty, your astonishing talents and your brilliance, but also, for your kindness, your integrity, your conscientiousness and your patience. You make each day great. You are my best friend. You are my favorite person. And one day, I will learn to cook for you. You are my beloved and I am yours, always.

We stayed here for the weekend.